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Judi-mae
Snake Mite
4 Posts |
 Posted - 15/09/2011 : 14:32:48
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Dear all your clever experienced snake peoples!
I am on the verge of buying my first snake and I'm very excited! I am going to get a baby royal python.
I have been researching for months; reading forums, books, talking to friends with snakes, reptile shops etc so that I am as prepared as I can be.
I have a RUB (5L, H15.5, W25.5, D39.5cm), two hides (one for warm end, one for cool end), a heat mat with thermostat half the size of the RUB, a water bowl, 2 thermometers (hot end/cool end), and kitchen roll/newspapers to be used for substrate.
In future, or just when I have more money (obviously I will still use RUB while he's a baby) and when Zaphod (planned name!) is bigger, I plan to get a Viv, with ceramic heat lamp with cage around and more decoration etc; and move to using hemp substrate instead.
I still have a few questions, that I would like to get answered before I go in for the snake purchase. I know Royals can have feeding issues so I have sourced a reputable reptile shop to get my baby from, and when visiting last month I did ask them about feeding and will not buy one that isn't already in a state of accepting food. I also plan to keep Zaphod in a spare room which doesn't get a lot of through traffic so he can relax, as I've heard they can get stressed easily.
I was wondering if anyone can help me with the following queries before I buy him...??
Thanks in advance for any help you can give!
> When I first get the snake, is there a set time I should leave him alone for? I have received conflicting advice on whether to handle him straight away or not.
> When I first get him should I try and feed him after a few days, or leave it a week? I guess this depends when he last fed but what I am getting at is when do you know when to feed them??
> How many air holes do you drill into a RUB? Any specific places that work best?
> Is there a limit to how often / for how long you should hold a royal pyton for? I have a friend who has hers on her lap while she watches TV for ages, but then I have read that they don't like it for too long?!
> Where is best to get a good, reasonbly priced vivarium? I would like one in black wood if possible. And what size should I get it?
> What size does the snake need to get to until he's going to be happy changing from RUB to viv?
> How do you know when to move up from pinkies to fuzzies or fluffies??
> I have a cat - will it be okay in a house with a snake?!
I think that's it for now, again many MANY thanks for any help you can give me on any of this.
Judi-mae Xx
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Kelfezond
The bearded one
United Kingdom
4803 Posts |
Posted - 15/09/2011 : 14:45:46
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Hello Judi!
Leave him alone for 7 days if possible.
You can try his first feed after 7 days.
I drilled about 100 in mine but it's personal choice really and depends what kind of humidity you get inside, I normally have to drill more when I start using it and the plastic gets all covered in water
I only hold mine for max of 30 mins, depends on the python's personality some don't mind being held others hate it.
Cannot really help on where to get viv's I got mine custom built and I use rub's mostly now.
A royal can be kept in a rub his whole life so long as the rub is big enough, when mine get to about 1000g I move them into a 3x2ft vivarium.
You can move up food sizes based on the weight of the snake, the food should weigh between 10 and 15% of the snakes body weight.
Cat should be okay with it though some people have trouble with the cat batting the glass to "play" with the snake, my advice is if the cat doesn't like the royal python buy a boa constrictor to solve your cat problem :) |
\v/ Click me for Kelfezond Reptiles Facebook Page! \v/
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Edited by - Kelfezond on 15/09/2011 14:45:59 |
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markmifsud
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
534 Posts |
Posted - 15/09/2011 : 14:52:20
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| Welcome to the forums Judi, not much to add to the above post. Some of mine will happily stay out of the viv for an hour if I let them, and some will come out for a cuddle "oh if I really have to" |
1.1.0 Pastal Ball
1.0.0 Normal Ball aged 7(ish)
0.1.0 Normal Ball aged 7(ish)
Bromley. SE London |
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n/a
deleted
7384 Posts |
Posted - 15/09/2011 : 15:39:50
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Hi Judi and welcome. I always recommend this thread to anyone buying a first royal - it has loads of info and discussion:-
http://www.theroyalpython.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5183
About the feeding 'issues' - yes, hatchlings moving to new homes may be reluctant feeders although many are fine. But adults may spend months fasting, usually autumn-spring, because their minds are on the mating game. This is absolutely normal for the royal but may be nerve-wracking for the owner. I like to think of it as a kind of hibernation - the snake lives on its fat, so to speak. This period differs for all royals, there is no hard and fast (no pun intended lol) rule. But it's normal for them.
hope this helps - sorry if I've overlapped with anyone by the way, was posting and interrupted by a phone call.
Ah, amendment - cats! I have three cats - two are interested in the snakes, one is one of the cats described by Kelf, who bats on the glass ...my only worry here is if she accidentally slides the viv door open despite it being wedged - the snakes seem to be equally fascinated with her. When my Shahi was very young and shy I once woke up to find Mouse (the cat) glued to the viv window as Shahi climbed against it on the other side.'Stop that,' I told Mouse as she patted at his head and he, in typical royal fashion, lost his balance and nosedived out of sight. 'The poor little thing's terrified!' As Shahi reappeared, full of curiosity and ready for another encounter with his new friend ...
Naturally commonsense precautions need to be taken, but I've only ever once seen a snake, a garter snake staying with a friend, show fear at the sight of a cat. I think you and the cats and snake will be fine. |
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Edited by - n/a on 15/09/2011 15:49:47 |
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sandi
Sub Adult
787 Posts |
Posted - 15/09/2011 : 20:22:13
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Agree with my friends above! With an extra tip on the feeding, you will know when to move from one size of prey to the next by the lump in the belly, If the food no longer leaves a bump then its too small! On average the food should be 1 1/2 time the girth of the snake but in a practical sense this is just a guide as the prey will vary.
Holding will be down to your snake, my Flo is happy for an hour but normaly gets 1/2 hr or so, although during winter she is in semi hibernation and will only want a few mins. Its very much the desicion of your snake.
Reasonably priced vivs dont exist! Sometimes you get a bargain and if you build your own your likely to save at least 1/2 the normal price!
Good luck! |
0.1.0 Royal Python - Florence
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor - Boris
1.1.0 Alaunts - Willow & Brochan |
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n/a
deleted
7384 Posts |
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boomslang
Old Royal - I Post too much!
United Kingdom
2025 Posts |
Posted - 15/09/2011 : 22:41:06
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quote:
Originally posted by BurnedAtTheStake
I beg to differ lol ...
http://www.surreypetsupplies.co.uk/
Don't think you will get a black one,unless its custom made,or that black abs plastic type vivs :) |
1.0.0 pinstripe Royal Python
1.0.0 Bumblebee Royal Python
1.0.0 Normal corn
1.0.0 Extreme red Hognose
0.1.0 Extreme red tiger Hognose
1.1.0 yemen chameleons
1.0.0 Piebald yemen
1.0.0 Tamatave panther
1.0.0 Quadricornis
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n/a
deleted
7384 Posts |
Posted - 15/09/2011 : 22:47:54
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Oh but you will ....
http://www.theroyalpython.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6654
Sorry, been a chaotic afternoon, didn't read thread fully and just quoted cheapest viv source - I, like Boomslang, didn't believe a cheap black viv existed, but these look pretty good ... |
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Edited by - n/a on 15/09/2011 22:53:42 |
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Tawfik47
Fully Grown Royal
Czech Republic
1584 Posts |
Posted - 16/09/2011 : 23:13:24
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| Welcome to the forum Judi |
1.0.0 Common Boa - Revo CB13
I had a royal python (Blitz) for two years for those who are wondering what I'm doing here with my boa :D |
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stevethornley
Hatchling
United Kingdom
69 Posts |
Posted - 18/09/2011 : 14:00:56
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Hey Judi
Good luck with your Royal purchase!
We're now 6 months down the line and all I can say is that the advice from this community and your breeder will serve you very well. We have a very happy and healthy Royal who feeds every week without question (unless she's in blue, although she's even fed once then too) and is packing on the weight!
The addition of Kate to the family has been great for our children and even the lady wife will now get within a metre, which is quite a development. Still hasn't touched her though.
Good luck and don't be afraid to ask questions.
Best Wishes
Steve
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0.1.0 Royal Python - Kate
0.1.0 Beagle - Poppy
0.0.11 tiny tropical fish - not named |
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scooterboy71
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 18/09/2011 : 22:54:39
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| Hi judi and welcome..we've only had our royals a couple of months now, and the amount of valuable help and information you will find on here is endless..anything you dont know there's a topic or thread to help...good luck |
1.1.0 common boa
0.1.0 retic white albino python
1.0.0 spider royal
0.1.0 pastel royal |
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Judi-mae
Snake Mite
4 Posts |
Posted - 26/09/2011 : 12:50:04
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Hey thanks guys!
I found a 4 month old python from a shop in Cambridge who sent him to me in the post Saturday morning. He's settling well into his RUB (he loves the basking end!!) and has even left me a nice poo already. Feeding time is Wednesday, bit nervous he won't eat, but we'll see.
He's been adventuring around the RUB a bit so he's not completely freaked out and when I first held him he was sniffing (with tongue!) loads and very intrigued which I see as a good sign.
I know I can't handle him until he's fed at least a few times - this is proving extrenmely hard but I know it's the right thing to do! :)
Thanks
Judi-mae |
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n/a
deleted
7384 Posts |
Posted - 26/09/2011 : 16:54:33
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| Congrats on your new baby! What are you calling him? |
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Questions for first ever python purchase!
